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Printed by order of th« 

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONORE88 

Held at Nxw Hat km, Comf. 

April 80th aod May 1st 

1903 



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Printed by order of the 

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONQKKSS 

Held at New Haven, Conn. 

April 30tli and May let 

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WILLIAM McKIKJ.KY 



COMPATRIOT WILLIAM McKINLEY, the twenty-fiftli Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in Oliio, in 1S43. He came 
of patriotic ancestry, by lineal descent, from liis great-grandfather, David 
McKinley, a soldier of the'^Revolution, who enlisted into the ranks from 
Pennsylvania. It was by virtue of this descent that he claimed eligi- 
bility to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, and was 
elected a member of the Ohio Society early in the history of that 
organization. 

His early life gave full promise of his future career ; he was fore- 
most in all his classes at school and college, and prominent as a debater 
and orator. Ilis uniform courtesy and his manly conduct endeared him 
to his classmates and secured the confidence and respect of teacher and 
professor. 

At eighteen he enlisted as a private into the Union Army, almost as 
soon as the Civil "War was declared and continued in the service until 
the close of the contest. His merits were soon recognized and he rapidly 
rose from rank to rank, and was honorably discharged in June, 1805, as 
Brevet-Major. He then began the study of the law and in due time was 
licensed as an attorney and counsellor. His aptitude in seizing the salient 
])oints involved in the cases committed to his care, and his ability as 
a counsellor and advocate very early placed him in the front rank of 



the bar of his native state ; but his tastes and natural inclination for a 
higher sphere of action were so marked, so pronounced, that his fellow 
citizens soon called him to represent them in the National Legislature. 
He was elected again and again to the House of Eepresentatives from 
the same congressional district. In that body of distinguished men, his 
great ability as a speaker and his accomplishments as a statesman soon 
made him recognized as one born to direct and lead affairs, and very 
early in his congressional career, by universal consent, he was acknowl- 
edged as one of the great men of his time. He was an independent 
thinker, but the distinctive principles of the party to which he gave his 
allegiance commended themselves to his judgment and he did not hesi- 
tate, upon all proper occasions, to avow, in no uncertain manner, his 
opinions. He did not speak often and only when the importance of the 
debate demanded. His utterances were marked by profound thought, 
convincing argument and an ample knowledge of all subjects which he 
discussed. Always firm and decided, yet he never offended ; his innate 
courtesy never failed him ; in the warmth of the hottest debate he 
never lost his dignity, nor presence of mind, nor forgot the strict observ- 
ance of those conventionalities and amenities which ought govern man- 
kind in their intercourse with others. No opponent was ever wounded 
by his sarcasm, nor aggrieved by his breach of decorum. He so secured 
the entire confidence of his political foes, that in more instances than 
one, he obtained the support of the most radical of those who were 
known as ardent supporters of a line of public policy, diametrically 
opposed to that which he maintained. He never resorted to those low 
acts to obtain hearing to which public speakers too often descend. His 
methods of argument were of the highest order, his reasoning close, 
clean cut and directly to the point. Always calm and unperturbed in 
the warmest debate, when passions were aroused he never lost his native 
dignity, but retired from the discussion with an unruffled serenity, which 
disarmed opponents and aided in dispelling the gathering storm. 



Twice within liis history a noniiiiiitidii for tho I'rL'sidt'iicy wan 
within his p"a.sp, but his liigh sense of honor and liis h.yalty to those 
who had intrusted him with their interests woidd not permit him to 
swerve from the strict hue of duty wliich vwv couti-ollt'd him. 

In 1896, after serving several terms in the popular Kranch of the 
National Legishitnre and twice as (ioveriior of Ohio, at a crisis in tlie 
liistory of the Republic, when a strong liand, a lirni will and a comi)re- 
liensive intellect were needed to administer tlie affairs of the country, 
he was elected President, by the suffrages of the people. 

This office brought with it new duties and new responsibilities, 
which were met with a determination to fill up the full measure of the 
requirements of his exalted position, and with a masterful grasj) (.f all 
the needs of the Republic. He became President of the whole country, 
and not of a political party. The people, all the people, soon learned 
that a eoiitrolHng spirit was at the head of the Government, who took 
in the whole situation, was keenly alive to those considerations which 
should direct his action for the advantage of the whole body of citizens 
and was ever alert in defence of the honor and integrity of the nation. 
Questions of the utmost importance at once confronted rhe new 
President, demanding immediate action, all of vital interest; questions 
of finance, of the tariff, of the annexation of a foreign country; 
questions which affected the honor of the flag, and of the Republic. 
Mr. McKinley was equal to the demands made iiixm him in the settle- 
ment of all these ])rob]ems. The most momentous of these i)rolilems 
was connected with the strained relations between Spain and the I'nited 
States ffrowins out of the agitations in Cuba. War was imminent, but 
the President struggled heroically to avert it and used all the arts of 
lioiiorable diplomacy to secure an adjustmeTit: but rlu' peopj.'. through 
Congress, demanded that war should he declared. The President instantly 
put the whole force of the administration at work to (.bey the popular 



6 

will. The demand of the people must be obeyed, the honor of the 
Republic must be preserved, the flag should not be dishonored. Other 
men, with less belief in true popular government, disobeying the decree 
of the people, would have interjected their own ideas and personality 
into the contest, delaying the war to the advantage of the Spanish 
Government ; but this man of men kept his finger on the pulse of the 
people and himself informed of public opinion, and when the nation 
demanded, he was ready to follow its dictation. 

This obedience to the will of the people was a ruling principle of 
his public life and was manifested by him upon all occasions. 

The nations of the earth have learned to respect the honesty and 
integrity ever manifested by American diplomatists. A new order of 
thought and action has been interjected into the modes of diplomacy by 
the manner in which the representatives of the great liepublic have met 
the arts of foreign courts. No man has done more to impress the minds 
of other nations, with whom this country holds relations, than did 
President McKinley during his administration. His effective methods 
in securing great ends lost nothing by the honesty and straightforward 
dealing which he and his cabinet and ambassadors always exhibited. 
American statesmanship never commanded more respect abroad than 
during his continuance in office as President. In the dealing with Spain, 
with the Philippines, with China and other nations in great international 
crises, he triumphed in a manner that attracted universal attention and 
commanded profound respect. 

The traits of character which distinguished Mr. McKinley were of 
the very best element, which can ennoble mankind. He was a strong 
man, strong in true manliness, strong in his virtues, strong in all those 
characteristics which adorn human nature. He was an ideal American 
citizen. 

In the administration of public affairs, he was ever firm and consistent, 
ever actuated by the strictest sense of duty and a severe adherence to 



the riii'lit. When different lines of policy were presented for (k'cision, 
the question with him was, which will be most conducive to the coininoii 
good i Which is honest i Not, is it politic ? Is it expedient i Or will 
it be advantageous to party ( 

This high sense of duty, this strict adherence to the right, actuated 
him in all the relations of his life, both public and private, as a citizen 
and as President. 

His unerring judgment, his intuitive sense of justice and of the right, 
so powerfully guided him, that he rarely made mistakes. If he did com- 
mit an error, he was swift to correct ; no selfish consideration interfered. 

A broad-minded, large-hearted love of humanity characterized his 
intercourse with all ; this was particularly the course which he manifested 
in his career as President. When his duty as the Chief Magistrate of 
the Republic did not forbid, he gave full scope to his naljive kindness of 
heart. 

The people of the whole South, notwithstanding the difference in 
opinion, learned to love him, as no other President, since Washington, 
was ever regarded. President McKinley, in the distribution of his 
patronage, never lost sight of what was due to their citizens. When the 
Spanish war broke out. Union and Confederate officers, who had been 
prominent in the great struggle between the States, were appointed 
without regard to party politics, and the South had its full proportion of 
these appointments. By this appreciation of the patriotism of the 
South, he succeeded in cementing the Union by indissoluble bonds. 
The South believed in him and were never deceived, they trusted him 
and were never disappointed. 

No elevation to office, not even to that of President, ever changed 
his simple, free-hearted manner to his fellow citizens. He was approach- 
able by all; no arrogance marked his conduct, no false dignity drove any 
from his presence. 



President McKinley's excellencies of character shone bright in the 
family circle, where the tenderest sympathies of human nature can be 
best displayed. His honoring deference to his mother, his profound 
reverence shown for her, his tender solicitude for his wife, his ever 
fostering care always enveloping her, his never failing affection for her, 
ennobled his character and gloriiied his virtues. The crowning act in 
the useful and noble life of the martyred President, was his submission 
to the will of God, his humble, childlike, simple faith, which enabled 
him to meet the great enemy and calmly pass into the unknown land 
from whence none return. 

The whole nation mourns its heroic dead ; North and South, East 
and West, have joined in one universal expression of sorrow. Crowned 
heads of other countries have united in proclaiming their grief at our 
loss. The lightning has flashed across the ocean a chorus of sympathy 
and consolation. His memory will ever linger fresh and green with all 
the citizens of the land. Monumental shafts will be reared to com- 
memorate his glorious life, but a more enduring monument will ever 
remain in the affection of the people. 

He is not dead, but will ever live immortal to the end of time, 
embellishing American history and ennobling the name of the great 
Republic, which he loved so well and over which he ruled so wisely. 



.IBKHKY Oh CONURti>i> 



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